FAQ’S
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE MEETING THE
END OF THE YEAR STANDARD?
The student demonstrates proficiency in concepts
and skills. Performance is characterized by the
ability to apply skills and strategies with accuracy,
quality, and independence.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE WORKING
TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR
STANDARD?
The student is developing proficiency in concepts
and skills. Performance is characterized by the
ability to apply skills and strategies with varied
consistency, quality, and occasional support.
HOW CAN I TELL IF MY CHILD IS TRYING
HARD AT SCHOOL?
While the standards based report card will focus on
your child’s knowledge and skill, effort is equally
important. Therefore, your child’s effort will be
indicated under each content area on the report
card as well as on the social development and work
habits sections of the report card. Students will
receive one of the following in those areas: Needs
Improvement, Satisfactory, or Outstanding.
HOW CAN I FIND OUT HOW MY CHILD IS
DOING BETWEEN REPORT CARDS?
Parents will receive input about their child’s
progress during the Parent Conferences scheduled
on November 14, 15, and 16, 2012 and April 3,
4,and 5, 2013. Parents are encouraged to contact
the classroom teacher with any questions or
concerns at any time during the school year.
HOW WERE THE REPORT CARDS
DEVELOPED?
Easton is one of many school districts to develop a
standards based report card. Easton’s curriculum
has been updated to reflect the MA standards.
Teachers have been provided with professional
development in standards based assessment.
IMPORTANT LINKS
For direct access to the frameworks:
MA Curriculum Frameworks for English
Language Arts and Literacy
www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/ela/0311.pdf
MA Curriculum framework for Mathematics
www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/math/0311.pdf
A Special Thanks To:
STANDARDS
BASED
REPORT CARDS
A STANDARDS BASED SYSTEM
A standards based system is comprised of
four components: Standards, Curriculum
and Instruction, Assessments, and
Reporting
THE 2010-2012 STANDARDS BASED
Report Card Committee MEMBERS
CURRICULUM
STANDARDS
Cathy MacLeod, Co-Chair
Debbie DiCenso, Co-Chair
Karen Daly
Christen Foote
Robin Goldstein
Erin Hurley
Janelle Markell
Joan McLaughlin
Janice Narsasian
Cindy Olson
Nancy Piesco
Carole Pray
Robin Presentato
Susan Saul
Karen Silverstein
Diane Skehan
EASTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
EASTON, MA
&
INSTRUCTION
ASSESSMENT
†
REPORTING
¢
Easton Public Schools will implement a
standards-based report card for grades K-3
during the 2012-2013 school year. These
report cards will provide information for
parents/guardians regarding their child’s
progress toward mastery of the
Massachusetts standards. Unlike the report
cards of the past, the standards-based report
cards will measure the student’s mastery of
end of the year, grade specific skills and
knowledge.
WHAT are the advantages?
• Ensures consistency of
expectations between teachers
• Focuses on standards from
the beginning of the year to
ensure that students have the
opportunity for additional
support and/or challenge
based on their progress
• Aligns assessment,
instruction, and reporting
• Identifies the child’s specific
strengths and weaknesses
• Outlines expectations for each
grade level in advance
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
M= Meets the end of the year standard
(demonstrates proficiency)
W= Working towards the end of the year
standard (developing proficiency)
L= Limited understanding of standard
(beginning understanding of basic concepts and
skills)
WHAT is standards based assessment?
MEASURING MASTERY
Over the past two years, Easton Public Schools
has worked diligently to align the curriculum
to the current Massachusetts Curriculum
Frameworks. Universal assessments have been
developed and collected in order to insure that
student progress is measured against an end of
the year standard. As such, a student’s
achievement is compared to the standard, not
to other students.
1. StandardsDistrict, state, and nationally
driven
The Massachusetts Curriculum Framework
for English Language Arts and the
Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for
Mathematics clearly outlines what a child
should know or be able to do by the end of
the year for a given grade level. Further, the
standards describe a continuum of skill level
through the grades from K-12.
2. Curriculum and InstructionDistrict Strategic Plan,
Curriculum Committee Work,
Professional Development
Easton Public Schools‘ five year curriculum
plan provides direction for curriculum
renewal, curriculum implementation, and
professional development. Daily instruction
is designed to meet the objectives of the
curriculum documents.
3. AssessmentsPortfolios, Unit Tests, Weekly
Tests, District Assessments,
State Assessments, etc.
Teachers follow a rigorous curriculum to
teach concepts and skills. Progress is
monitored by way of observation, work
samples, and scheduled and/or ongoing
assessments. Teachers use the information
gathered via the assessment process to
inform their subsequent instruction.
Students follow a continuum of learning,
being challenged when ready, and receiving
additional support when needed.
4. ReportingConferences, Report
Cards,TEAM Meetings,
Progress Reports, etc.
Standards Based Report Cards will be
distributed in January and June for grades
K-3. These report cards will provide a
summary of student progress. During parent
conferences, in November and April,
parents will have an opportunity to discuss
their child’s progress as it relates to grade
level benchmarks, and in relation to the end
of year standard. Data will be shared at that
time to give specific examples of a child’s
proficiency level.